Recent Female College Graduates Earn Less than Their Male Counterparts in Illinois, With Important Exceptions
August 21, 2017 | By Jill Manzo
Policy Memo

Subsidizing the Few: An Introduction to Economic Development Subsidies in Illinois
August 17, 2017 | By Mary Craighead
Policy Brief

Playing Favorites: Understanding the Demographics of Economic Development Subsidies in Illinois
August 17, 2017 | By Mary Craighead
Policy Brief

Preferable Alternatives: The Cost of Business Subsidies in Illinois
August 17, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV and Jill Manzo
Policy Brief

Quality Investments: Best Practices for Business Subsidies in Illinois
August 17, 2017 | By Mary Craighead
Policy Brief

Public Policies That Grow the Illinois Economy: An Evidence-Based Review of the Current Debate
July 19, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

Testimony on Transportation Funding and the Potential Impact of an IDOT Shutdown
June 27, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV
Testimony

The Union-Business Case for Firm Relocation and Investment in Illinois and Peoria
June 27, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

IDOT Shutdown: Understanding the Economic and Transportation Consequences
June 20, 2017 | By Mary Craighead and Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

The Social Costs of Repealing Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage Law
June 19, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV and Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

Prevailing Wage Works in McHenry County
June 9, 2017 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

A New Bill to Use BLS Data for Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wage Would Be a Pay Cut for Middle-Class Construction Workers
June 1, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV
Memo

The State of the Unions 2017: A Profile of Unionization in Chicago, in Illinois, and in America
May 22, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV, Virginia Parks, and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

Union Membership Declined in “Right-to-Work” States and Increased in Collective-Bargaining States Last Year
May 10, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV
Memo

Responsible Bidder Ordinances are Protection Plans for Taxpayers, Providing the Highest Value at the Lowest Cost
May 10, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV
Memo

The $5 Billion Cost of Construction Fatalities in the United States: A 50 State Comparison
May 8, 2017 | By Jill Manzo
Research Report

The H-2B Guest Worker Program Unnecessarily Lowers Construction Worker Wages in Illinois
May 3, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV
Memo

A Comparison of Highway Construction Costs in the Midwest and Nationally
May 3, 2017 | By Mary Craighead
Policy Brief

In Support of Route 53/120: Understanding the Transportation, Economic, and Local Impacts of a Modern Roadway
April 20, 2017 | By Mary Craighead
Research Report

Building America with Prevailing Wage: The Davis-Bacon Act Delivers Good Middle-Class Jobs, a Strong Economy, and the Best Value for U.S. Taxpayers
April 14, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV, Kevin Duncan, and Peter Philips
Research Report

The Economic, Fiscal, and Social Effects of Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Law
April 10, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV, Lameck Onsarigo, Alan Atalah, and Kevin Duncan
Research Report

Prevailing Wage and Military Veterans in Connecticut: Applied Policy Brief
April 6, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, Kevin Duncan, and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

The Impact of “Right-to-Work” Laws on Labor Market Outcomes in Three Midwest States: Evidence from Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin (2010-2016)
April 3, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

Full-Time Incomes in Illinois: How Are You Doing This Tax Season?
March 27, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Union Decline and Economic Redistribution: A Report on Twelve Midwest States
March 13, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

HB 1002: Investing in Indiana’s Future
March 13, 2017 | By Mary Craighead
Policy Brief

Alternative State and Local Options to Fund Public K-12 Education in Illinois
February 20, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

The High Cost of Construction Injuries and Fatalities: A Case Study of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
February 9, 2017 | By Jill Manzo and Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Policies to Reduce African-American Unemployment: Investments in Education, Infrastructure, Public Employment, and Housing
February 6, 2017 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, and Robert Bruno
Economic Commentary

A Highly Educated Classroom: Illinois Teachers are NOT Overpaid
February 2, 2017 | By Jill Manzo, Frank Manzo IV, and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

Illinois’ Two-Headed Beast: Unfunded Pension Liabilities and Unfunded Infrastructure Needs
December 28, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Mira Staykova
Policy Brief

Gas Taxes in the United States and Globally: Failing to Address Transportation Infrastructure
December 21, 2016 | By Mary Craighead and Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

The Economic, Fiscal, and Social Effects of Kentucky’s Prevailing Wage Law
December 15, 2016 | By Frank Manzo and Kevin Duncan
Research Report

Road and Bridge Report: Wisconsin vs. Illinois vs. Iowa
December 6, 2016 | By Jill Manzo and Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Nuclear Energy in Illinois: The Foundation of a Clean Energy Future
November 14, 2016 | By Mary Craighead
Policy Brief

Weakening Waukesha County: Prevailing Wage Changes Will Hurt the County
November 11, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

Prevailing Wage Repeal Cannot Result in “44 Percent Savings”: Evidence from Southwestern Wisconsin
October 26, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Prevailing Wage and Military Veterans in Minnesota: Applied Policy Brief
October 5, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, Kevin Duncan, and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

The Views of Economics and Policy Academics in Illinois: 2016-2017 School Year
September 28, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Policies that Support Employment: Investments in Public Education, Investments in Public Infrastructure, and a Balanced State Budget
September 7, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

The State of the Unions 2016: A Profile of Unionization in the Twin Cities, in Minnesota, and in America
September 5, 2016 | By Jill Manzo, Frank Manzo IV, Monica Bielski Boris, and Robert Bruno
Research Report

Construction Careers versus Construction Jobs: A Case Study of Two Construction Sectors in the Twin Cities Region
August 31, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

The Prevailing Wage is the Local Market Rate: Employment and Job Turnover Evidence from the Border of Illinois
August 29, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Research Report

The Impact of Apprenticeship Programs in Illinois: An Analysis of Economic and Social Effects
August 24, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

School Construction and Prevailing Wage in Minnesota
August 23, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

Prevailing Wage and Military Veterans in Wisconsin: Applied Policy Brief
August 18, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, Kevin Duncan, and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

The Energy Sector in Minnesota: Getting Down and Dirty on Clean Energy Opportunities in Minnesota
August 17, 2016 | By Jill Manzo and Mary Craighead
Economic Commentary

The Impact of Construction Union Dues in Minnesota: An Organizational and Individual-Level Analysis
August 16, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

The Status of Female Workers in Illinois: Overrepresented in Unstable, Lower-Paying Sectors
August 1, 2016 | By Mira Staykova
Economic Commentary

Building a Strong Winnebago County: How Prevailing Wage Works
July 27, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

The State of the Unions 2016: A Profile of Unionization in Milwaukee, in Wisconsin, and in the United States
July 25, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, Don Taylor, Michael Childers, and Robert Bruno
Research Report

The Costs and Benefits of International Trade in Illinois: Estimating Impacts on Manufacturing and the Economy
July 20, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, and Robert Bruno
Research Report

The Energy Sector in Illinois: Getting Down and Dirty on Clean Energy Opportunities in Illinois
July 20, 2016 | By Mary Craighead
Economic Commentary

Better Roads Ahead: Vote YES on the Illinois Transportation Funds Amendment
July 18, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

A Minimum-Wage Worker Cannot Afford a Modest Apartment: Evidence from Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa
July 13, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Mira Staykova
Policy Brief

A Corporate Welfare Program that Illinois Cannot Afford: The Retailer’s Discount Costs Over $100 Million a Year
July 12, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Jill Manzo
Policy Brief

The Most Equal and Unequal Jobs in Illinois: Occupational Employment Statistics
June 30, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Wind Power and the Illinois Economy: Summary of Impacts
June 29, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Lydia Simrayh
Economic Commentary

Obesity in America and Illinois: Reducing Obesity Can Benefit the Economy
June 14, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

The State of the Unions 2016: A Profile of Unionization in Iowa and in the United States
May 31, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, and Robert Bruno
Research Report

States with Higher Minimum Wages Added More Jobs: April 2015 – April 2016
May 26, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The State of the Unions 2016: A Profile of Unionization in Indianapolis, in Indiana, and in the United States
May 23, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Jill Manzo, and Robert Bruno
Research Report

The State of the Unions 2016: A Profile of Unionization in Chicago, in Illinois, and in the United States
May 16, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Virginia Parks, and Robert Bruno
Research Report

The Rise of Wage Inequality in Illinois: In Two Graphs
May 11, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The Impact of Prevailing Wage Laws on Military Veterans: An Economic and Labor Market Analysis
May 10, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Robert Bruno, and Kevin Duncan
Research Report

Analysis of Graduated Income Tax Proposal – Amendment to House Bill 689
May 3, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

Road Infrastructure Investment Summary: Illinois vs. Texas
April 14, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

The Application and Impact of Labor Union Dues in Illinois: An Organizational and Individual-Level Analysis
April 13, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

An Analysis of the Impact of Prevailing Wage Thresholds On Public Construction: Implications for Illinois
April 1, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

Insuring Illinois: The Affordable Care Act Has Expanded Health Coverage
March 10, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

Two Sides of the Same Gold Coin: School Construction and Water Quality Projects in Iowa
March 7, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

The History of Economic Inequality in Illinois: 1850 – 2014
March 4, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Research Report

The Impacts of New Mexico House Bills 110 & 200 (2016)
February 16, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Kevin Duncan, and Alex Lantsberg
Policy Brief

Competency Needed: Addressing Iowa’s Skilled Construction Worker Shortage
February 15, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

A $10 Billion Loss: Illinois’ Motor Fuel Tax Should Have an Inflationary Adjustment
February 10, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

The Economic, Fiscal, and Social Impacts of State Prevailing Wage Laws: Choosing Between the High Road and the Low Road in the Construction Industry
February 9, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Alex Lantsberg, and Kevin Duncan
Research Report

Stop Saying that Illinois is Bad for Business: The Data Show Otherwise
January 26, 2016 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

A Flowing Economy: How Clean Water Infrastructure Investments Support Good Jobs in Chicago and in Illinois
January 7, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

Revenue Solutions to the State Budget Crisis In Illinois: A Comparative Evaluation
January 1, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

Towards the High Road in the New Hampshire Construction Industry: The Impact of a State Prevailing Wage Law
January 1, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV, Kevin Duncan, Alex Lantsberg, and Stephen Herzenberg
Research Report

Weakening Prevailing Wage Hurts Local Contractors and Workers: A Case Study from Southern Indiana
June 15, 2016 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Causes of Indiana’s Road Funding Gap: Inflation, Fuel Efficiency, and Inaction
December 21, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The Cost of Construction Injuries and Fatalities in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa
December 18, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The Views of Economics and Policy Academics in Illinois
September 2, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Unions Can Increase Efficiency: Ten Examples
September 1, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Collective-Bargaining, Right-to-Work, and the Business Location of America’s Top Companies
September 1, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Economic Commentary

The State of the Unions 2015: A Profile of Unionization in Chicago, in Illinois, and in America
August 18, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV, Robert Bruno, and Virginia Parks
Research Report

The Cost of Repealing Michigan’s Prevailing Wage Policy: Impacts on Total Construction Costs and Economic Activity
June 25, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV, Kevin Duncan, and Alex Lantsberg
Research Report

Illinois Can No Longer Afford to Be a Donor State: Illinois Ranks 46th in Federal Funding
June 22, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

Building a Strong Lake County: How Prevailing Wage Works
June 19, 2015 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

Building a Strong DuPage County: How Prevailing Wage Works
June 12, 2015 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

Building a Strong Kane County: How Prevailing Wage Works
June 9, 2015 | By Jill Manzo
Economic Commentary

Testimony Before U.S. House of Representatives on Right-to-Work
June 3, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Testimony

Localized Disempowerment: The Movement to Implement Right-to-Work ‘Zones’
June 1, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Memo

Efficiencies of Project Labor Agreements: Illinois Capital Development Board Projects, 2011-2013
May 18, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Economic Commentary

The Major Victims of Right-to-Work Laws: Construction Workers
May 13, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The Distribution of I-RIDE Revenues: 2015 Local Allotments
April 24, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The Impact of Local “Right-to-Work” Zones: Predicting Outcomes for Workers, the Economy, and Tax Revenues in Illinois
April 6, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

Illinois Income Report: How Are You Doing This Tax Season?
April 3, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The I-RIDE Proposal 2.0: A Smart, Reliable Policy to Fund Transportation Infrastructure
April 1, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Marc Poulos
Policy Brief

Infrastructure Investment and Public Safety Spending: Economic Impacts for Illinois
March 11, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Road and Bridge Construction Workers in the Midwest: Productive, High-Skilled, and Well-Paid
March 1, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Policy Brief

A Turnaround or a Turn Aground? Fact Checking Governor Rauner’s First Claims
February 10, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

Prevailing Wage Laws, Contractor Profits, and the Economic Pie
January 28, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The Pay of Union Leaders: Debunking the “Big” Labor Myth
January 12, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Economic Commentary

Illinois Teens and the Minimum Wage: The Impacts of Minimum Wage Hikes, 2004-2013
January 12, 2015 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Economic Commentary

The IN-RIDE Proposal: A Modern, Sustainable Policy to Fund Transportation Infrastructure
December 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV and Marc Poulos
Policy Brief

Road User Fees: A Smoother Path
October 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Memo

Free-Rider States: How Low-Wage Employment in “Right-to-Work” States Is Subsidized by the Economic Benefits of Collective Bargaining
September 2, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

The State of the Unions 2014: A Profile of Unionization in Chicago, in Illinois, and in America
August 22, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV, Robert Bruno, and Virginia Parks
Research Report

Building a Strong McHenry County: How Prevailing Wage Works
August 11, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Self-Sufficient Construction Workers: Why Prevailing Wage Laws are the Best Deal for Taxpayers
August 11, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV and LeNee Carroll
Research Report

Regarding Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Law and School Construction Costs
August 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Testimony

Testimony on Illinois Senate Bill 1046
August 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV and Marc Poulos
Testimony

Illinois Federal Income Taxes: By Occupation, 2011-2013
July 8, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

P3s: Where Wall Street Meets Main Street: The Possibility of Expanding Work in the Public Interest
July 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Memo

Common Sense Construction: The Economic Impacts of Indiana’s Common Construction Wage
June 23, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV, Robert Bruno, and Scott Littlehale
Research Report

Off-Roading? Analyzing Diversions from Illinois’ Road Fund
May 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Highway Construction Costs: How Does Illinois Compare?
May 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Vehicular Infrastructure Comparison: Illinois vs. Missouri
May 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Union and Nonunion Households: General Social Survey, 2000-2012
April 22, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Economic Commentary

Collaborative Development: The Pros and Cons of P3s on Construction Projects
April 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

Minimum Wage, Maximum Benefit: How a $10 Wage Floor Impacts All Workers and the Economy
March 17, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

The Benefits of Doing Business in Illinois
March 12, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

Which Labor Market Institutions Reduce Income Inequality?
January 29, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Research Report

Increasing Horizontal Construction through the Gas Tax: Benefits to Clinton County, IA
January 1, 2014 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

Illiana Expressway Jobs: Summary of Job Creation Estimates
December 2, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

The Benefits of the Illiana Expressway: An Opportunity for Indiana
November 6, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief

Broken Promises: Right-to-Work’s Early Track Record in Indiana
October 16, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

A Weakened State: The Economic and Social Impacts of Repeal of the Prevailing Wage Law in Illinois (Policy Brief)
October 7, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV, Robert Bruno, Dale Belman, and Alison Dickson Quesada
Policy Brief

A Weakened State: The Economic and Social Impacts of Repeal of the Prevailing Wage Law in Illinois
October 7, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV, Robert Bruno, Dale Belman, and Alison Dickson Quesada
Research Report

The Economic Effects of Adopting a Right-to-Work Law: Implications for Illinois
October 7, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV, Robert Bruno, Roland Zullo, and Alison Dickson Quesada
Research Report

The State of Working Illinois 2013: Labor in the Land of Lincoln
October 1, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV and Robert Bruno
Economic Commentary

A State of Lost Labor: Who Are the Unemployed in Illinois?
October 1, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV
Economic Commentary

In Defense of the Illiana Expressway: Benefits to Workers, Businesses, and Families
August 30, 2013 | By Frank Manzo IV
Policy Brief